More than a pretty smile

An Alice in Wonderland inspired poem.

 

There she was chasing a rabbit

with 1 am coffeecakes and weak tea

She didn’t notice I was watching

from the branches of an olive tree

A lone smile hidden amongst

swirling smoke rings in a foreign accent

 

To the gazebo she ran

with its straw grass tables

and pleated cushions in hibiscus

print fabric no one would sit on

 

My eyes followed her as she

darted around manicured boxwoods

and cherub statues spitting water

onto sleeping lily pads,

following the same schedule

as the other…identical

 

She came upon a dandelion

and asked politely, “Pardon me,

but have you seen a…”

 

The weed interrupted,

“Didn’t…don’t do drama dreams

dancing deliriously down

donut distracted ditches”

 

“That’s dumb” she replied

with a giggle and a snort

 

This must be her fun, I think,

trying to catch a white ball of fur,

big, then small,

then smaller still like a

thimble seeking a thread,

when now she is stopped

in her ziggy zagging tracks

by a June bug singing,

 

“I see, I see, in front of me

Dessert, dessert, set out for free

A chocolate pie, a chocolate pie

In menus written on the sky”

 

Perplexed she climbed upon its back

and flew, holding onto

red leather shoulder pads

with black dots changing shapes,

ducking winged arches that

covered the vestibule they

soared through when a sharp turn

pitched her to the opposite side…

 

Landing with a thud,

her new dress now soiled

between the wrinkles in time

that had ticked away

on a clock faced sun named Ray

 

She cried carrot tears,

orange sherbet streams

on peach tone cheeks,

marmalade miseries

and mango miscues

piddling on her patent leather shoes,

ready to give up

 

When it appeared, hopping happily

Jumping into her lap

and licking her face

She caressed its fur, removing

sticker burs and scratching

just the right spot, as its right rear leg

thumped with joy

 

Then lifting the bundled bunny

to her face, she kissed it tenderly

with wild cherry gloss lips,

or should I say…kissed me

for you see, all along, it was me . . .

 

“And you thought I was nothing more than a pretty smile”

 

 

Reviews

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Bunnies and dessert seem to be the course for us today. Clicked upon this one, and what a God Wink! This was terribly cute, imaginative, and well-written. Knowing that you are so hungry, from your earlier review, now I'm wondering if you are high. :)

[willweb]

Well, if I had the.munchies then that might be the case but sadly it is just plain old, all american.spent too much time working in the garden, probably had a few too many beers, hunger. But, I wouldn't turn down some chocolate chip cookies with vanilla ice cream. Thanks for reading and commenting Linda

[Relic]

I remember reading the story many years ago. I also remember a magazine that featured parts of the story that didn't make the cut. Your poem captures the same characteristics and far out personalities of the book.

I'm sure Lewis Carrol and other writers were taking drugs when writing stories like this. And I'm sure you know Jefferson Airplane watched the movie while high and wrote White Rabbit after.

Your words are creative and have a good amount of playfulness as well.

I enjoyed. :)

[willweb]

Thanks, I am glad you had fun with this. Yep and I am sure you are right, definitely about the Airplane and Grace Slick was hot. : )

[Soren]

With childlike images of joy and tenderness you led me down the rabbit hole. Several times my hypotheses were disconfirmed. At first I held to the personification of a sprinkler spitting water about, then a little girl, then what it was meant to be an innocent romance portrayed with so many delightful images. My favorite is the 10th stanza with it's wonderful images. Loved the surprise ending.

[willweb]

Thanks so much Soren. Just trying to be a little creative. I am glad you had fun with this.

[Seriana]

What vivid teasing imagery! It felt like Alice...
You give an innocent gentle take on romance, though no less strong that the direct. I loved all the colorful adjectives. Nice piece Will!

[willweb]

Thanks Seriana, I was just having a little fun with this one. I actually watched the Alice movie with Johnny Depp prior to writing this one. It inspired me.